A good turnout on the evening to hear Tonga Karena (Guest Speaker) talk about his work with Parihaka and the international peace movements.

Apologies were recorded from Ian, Gary and Miles.

President Murray welcomed our guests - Barry and Mavis Easton, Trevor and Patricia Davies, Robin and Berenice Southern, Trish Betts plus Social Member Kathryn Gillespie.

 

 

Guest Speaker: Tonga Karena

 

Des Friedrich introduced Tonga, about his long time association with our club.

 

 

There is no way to cover his talk fully - it was truly immersive and we were all enthralled. What follows therefore is a brief synopsis.

 

Tonga’s talk was wide ranging and inspirational, covering his personal and family history , expanding on the great influence his grandmother had , telling him at an impressionable age that he couldn’t hold a spear in own hand and a peace symbol in the others. She was a very remarkable woman, changing the lives of her people and family, giving them financial security as well as spiritual and practical leadership.

Due to his family background he has always been fluent in languages and this stood him in good stead with his academic studies. Although he enjoyed his work at the University, he always shied away from undertaking a PhD despite much encouragement as he felt it would trap him in an ivory tower, away from the real world.

Eventually he was persuaded to combine academia with his involvement with land ownership and development and completed his PhD.

He found similar qualities are needed in every sphere he works in - empathy, honesty,tolerance,communication,commitment- and these are fully used in the struggle for peace.

His work is international and inter generational, drawing great inspiration from Parihaka. He feels nonviolent resistance should be a basic philosophy taught at school level, teaching how to speak truth to power.

Parihaka is an inspiration internationally on many levels and it is imperative that this is used to its full potential. Young people are increasingly drawn to it ,seeing it as somewhere truly magical.

 

Dennis Eales thanked Tonga on our behalf, saying accurately that we had all been blown away by his talk.

 

From President Murray

President Murray also thanked Tonga saying we could have carried on listening for the rest of the evening but fortunately we will have the chance to hear more at our Centenary celebration in June when he will be one of the guest speakers.

He also thanked Barry Easton for writing and placing an excellent article about the club, our centenary and the problems Rotary is faced with on the path ahead.External feedback to Murray has been very positive, saying the feature struck the right note.

 

A brief update on Destination Kawaroa - Myles is still in discussion with Downers. Eldon Peters’ new plans re retaining walls have been submitted to the Council.

Centennial Soirée plans are ongoing.

The Golf Tournament will feature 18 teams this year and there has also been sponsorship money donated by those who are not playing. Des allocated volunteers for various posts for set up and on the day.

Sally notified that one of the items raised at the next business meeting will be ongoing donations to the Food Bank. In addition to this, the raffle and David Brownson’s business membership project will be discussed. 

 

Parting Thought: Jan Dempsey

Friendship was the foundation on which Rotary was built and tolerance is the element that holds it together.

(Donald Carter 1906)

He was a Patent Attorney and asked to see the clubs objectives when he joined the Rotary Club of Chicago (Club No1)

 

N.B The next Business Meeting will be held on 24 February. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WILL NOT BE HELD  AT AUTO LODGE. THE VENUE WILLBE MEETING ROOM SUMMERSET POHUTUKAWA PLACE.

 

The meeting closed at 7.30 pm